In a landmark decision, a U.S. court has found Google guilty of violating antitrust laws.
The court’s ruling, spanning 286 pages, reveals that Google has spent over $26 billion to secure its position as the default search engine on smartphones and web browsers, effectively blocking competition.
Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling highlights that Google’s aggressive tactics to maintain its dominance have unfairly restricted other search engines from competing.
While competitors like Amazon and Walmart have started offering search ads, Google still controls a significant share of text ads at the top of search results.
This decision marks the first major legal victory against a tech giant in over two decades. It could lead to significant changes, such as allowing U.S. Android users to select their preferred search engine when setting up new devices.
There is also the possibility of splitting Google’s search operations from other parts of its business, which would be a major restructuring akin to the breakup of AT&T in 1984.
The court’s findings underscore Google’s substantial market control, with the company holding around 90% of the search market and 95% on smartphones.
Google has pledged to appeal the ruling, arguing that its success is due to consumer preference.
The case has broader implications for Big Tech, signaling a new era of antitrust scrutiny and potential regulatory changes.